How Does Lead Find Its Way into Drinking Water?

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no known level of lead in a child's bloodstream that's considered safe. Lead is especially harmful to children and dangerous for adults as well. Repeated exposure can lead to health issues, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems.

Lead in Drinking Water 

Lead is a heavy metal and a chemical element that, in the past, was included in mixtures of paint and gasoline. Today, it can end up in drinking water due to the following causes:

• Deteriorating Lead-based Paint: Particularly in homes built before 1976, particles from disintegrating lead-based paint can contaminate the water that household members are drinking.
• Water Pipes: Old lead-based pipes, either inside the home or connecting from the house to the neighborhood's main water supply pipe, can corrode and cause lead to end up in drinking water.
• Fixtures: In older homes that haven't been updated, the faucets themselves may contain lead, and traces may be ending up in the tap water.

Water that has either a high level of acidity or a low mineral content can be especially corrosive to fixtures and pipes. Even brass or chrome-plated faucets can be problematic. That's because these fixtures may contain lead solder that's contaminating the household's water.

Exactly how much lead ends up in drinking water depends on several factors. These include the water's acidity and alkalinity, the amount of lead the water contacts, how long the water stays in the lead pipes or fixtures, and the types of minerals present in the water. A way that utility companies can minimize how much lead ends up in water used by consumers is to treat the water to make it less corrosive.

Addressing the Problem

The first step to take if you suspect lead in your home's drinking water is to request a water quality report from the water utility company. In addition, it's important to get the water tested since the source of lead contaminants, if present, may be the home's pipes or fixtures. A home lead inspection can determine if there's lead in the water or elsewhere. A water filter that's certified to remove lead can also be helpful.

ASAP Environmental, Inc. offers home lead inspections to keep residents safe from the hazards of lead. We can check to see if lead is present in drinking water or other areas of the home. We also can inspect for signs of mold. Call us at 800-349-7779, or schedule a home lead inspection online.